This happen a few days ago, and the sign has since been recovered. The Polish police say it may have been stolen to sell to a collector. Is everything for sale now, and nothing respected?

I'm not jewish, but I don't think you have to be to realize what a desecration this was. I don't just view this as a slur against the millions who died in the camp, although it is, but I also see it as a slur against each soldier who died in the second World War to free civilization from evil men.

I don't know who said this, but someone said those who forget the past, are doomed to repeat it. I think stealing a 16 foot long sign from the entrance of a graveyard (and thats what Auschwitz is) is a great example of disregarding the past.

Just read this on The New York Times' website. These stupid theives couldn't left the 66 pound sign, so they actually cut it into three peices!!! They left the 'i' in the german word 'frei' behind. I can't believe anyone would dare to do this to a historic relic.

I visited Auschwitz several years ago, and it is an experience that everyone should go through in order to realize the horrors of what went on there. The fact that this sign was stolen and then cut into three pieces proves that there are people in this world who would deny what happened, not just to Jews, but also many others during the Holocaust. The sign and the buildings at Auschwitz/Birkenau MUST always remain to show future generations what can happen when evil emerges and no one dares to challenge it!_________________"Have fun storming the castle"--Miracle Max in "The Princess Bride"